***OFFICIAL Save the Lost Continent Thread***

[rockbottomsound]

After hearing rumors that Universal Execs may have a plan to "get rid of" or "substantially alter" the Lost Continent section at IOA I thought it appropriate to have an official thread about this for everyone to pitch in to save this island.

IMO the Lost Continent section at IOA is not just my favorite section of this park, but any park in the world. I think it is brillantly themed and plans to alter it one iota I think should be scrapped. This section is a true work of art not just architecturally but in every sense of the word. Changing this section would be the equivalent of putting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for a Harry Potter section, just not at the expense of the LC or any other section at IOA for that matter, it should be a total add on if anything.

Please, for those of you who agree, post your opinions in the hopes that Uni execs may actually get wind of this and think otherwise.

 

[Notatourist]

You do realize that your thread is based on a RUMOUR?!

 

[robvia]

It's tuff seeing a favorite attraction close down. But let's look at it this way.
Sinbad and Posiden's Fury don't open until 10:30am at the earliest. I don't have the Sinbad times but I'm sure it doesn't start until 11am or noon.

So two gigantic attractions sit there doing nothing every morning, Mythos doesn't open until 11:30am. The talking fountain and the shops don't open early either unless it's peak times.

Don't get me wrong, but that entire island is "dead" most mornings besides Dueling Dragons and the Flying Unicorn.

 

[damo]

I'm with Rob on this one. I love the architecture but I am not enamoured with the the rides. I think Universal can change these two attractions, maintain the architecture but enhance it to suit the magic theme more and we will have dramatically improved the enjoyment of the Lost Continent. I don't think the integrity of the whole area needs to change but the content does. There is a lot of wasted space in front of both Sinbad and Poseidan that can be used.

 

[rockbottomsound]

Well I realize that it is currently a rumor, but nonetheless.

I think what they should do is figure out other ways to get people in this section earlier if it is dead in the morning hours.

Don't get me wrong I would love to see a Harry Potter section, diagon alley, hogwarts whatever, but that should be a seperate section or a new section at the old universal side. I just don't want to see the LC altered.

If they just took out the stunt show and poisedans fury show and left the outside of the buildings and rest of the section in tact, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it. That stunt show could go, but its the outside of those buildings that I think should stay. And especially the crumbled statue, Mythos and the other key features of that area, should not be disturbed in my opinion. That broken statue of poisieden to me is one of the most important things in the theme park world, really that whole area there.

 

[yaytezIOA]

You do also realize that IOA hasnt had a new attraction in quite some time, and this rumor is boasting not one but two new attractions, and a complete rehaul that will bring in loads of new visitors and lots of money that would justify them spending money on other sections of the park for new rides.........

 

[F-L-A]

There is a lot of wasted space in front of both Sinbad and Poseidan

How so?

 

[Amity 3]

don't waste your time and energy freaking out about something that isn't going to happen.

now, if you want to start a petition to reopen fire eaters grill and bring back the gyros, I'll sign it.

 

[lindalinda]

Sorry, not with you on this one. People are always complaining that theres no new stuff, and so if new stuff comes, I'm all for it!

 

[macraven]

don't waste your time and energy freaking out about something that isn't going to happen.

now, if you want to start a petition to reopen fire eaters grill and bring back the gyros, I'll sign it.

and i will be the first to sign that petition.
i love the fire eaters grill...........




i'll even sign in blood....

 

[macraven]

if they redo LC, great.

change isn't always easy for some, but change is good.


except when they closed F.E. grill.......

 

[damo]

How so?

There is a lot of space outside of the Sinbad show and Poseidan that isn't even used until the attractions are up. That space can be used to increase the Potter theming quite easily. If you use this link, you can see all of the space, especially in front of Sinbad that can be utilized for theming and hold a lot of people if those two attractions were used all the time.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=3909189

 

[Amity 3]

if the rumors about replacing BTTF with the Simpsons - but Universal and Fox couldn't reach a financial agreement...why does anyone think Universal could reach a financial agreement with JK Rowling alone?

and then refurb 1/5 of a park that cost a billion dollars to build in the first place?

it isn't going to happen.

 

[F-L-A]

I'm still not seeing it (the wasted space.) Perhaps from an operational standpoint Poseidon's outdoor queue is larger than it needs to be, but that happens to be the best themed part of the park (any park, for that matter) and putting anything else there would obstruct the current view of the facade. Besides, what would they put there? Another store? I'll have none of that.

Sinbad... well, most people don't realize the show is there even after it opens. The only alteration that would make sense is gutting the show entirely in favor of a dark ride. One with higher visibility. Preferrably not themed to Harry stinkin' Potter...

 

[robvia]

I actually agree with Amity3 on this one. Once you've followed the parks for a while, you understand it's a business and nothing more. If you look at the attendance figures year after year, they basically stay the same no matter what.
USF ends up in 6th place behind the Disney parks. IOA is 7th or 8th depending on where DCA ends up. USH is 10th.

So why should Universal spend millions of dollars, when it won't matter? Most parents are brainwashed going to Disney year after year. Universal is sponging off that with the word of mouth advertising and billboards along I-4.

If Universal really wanted to increase attendance, they could do it by attracting more visitors from up north who are snowed in.

And the part that really brings all this home, is when you realize that the parks are just a spec of dust to GE and NBC. They'd rather sell them off like CBS did with Paramount. The suits at the top want bigger deals, and the parks can't bring it. The only thing the suits see is numbers. Sadly, we have to hope attendance drops before they'll add a big coaster.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I like that area of the park, but if one of the areas has to be closed to make room for new attractions, then I think that area should be it. It seems like it is the least appealing to guests that are going for the first time.

 

[mark2311]

I love LC it really is one of the best themed areas in any park i've been to. The building that Poseidon is in is stunning. I love to just stand and look at it. I would hate to seem them change the way the place looks but it really does need an injection of excitment into it. Like new rides in the Poseidon building or Sinbad building. Sure it has DD but thats about it.

Changing it to a Harry Potter themed island would be wrong but i can see why the suits would want to do it. I mean what kid these days wouldn't want to go see it? It is massive and be guaranteed to bring in more visitors, in the short term at least and who knows maybe even longer.

I just wish they would add it as a whole new land and not replace LC

 

[F-L-A]

I actually agree with Amity3 on this one. Once you've followed the parks for a while, you understand it's a business and nothing more. If you look at the attendance figures year after year, they basically stay the same no matter what.

Err... what gave you that idea? Universal's attendance has been in freefall for several years now.

 

[diseyore]

Correct, free falling. They are cutting atmosphere actors and their budgets due to low attendance.

 

[rockbottomsound]

Sorry, not with you on this one. People are always complaining that theres no new stuff, and so if new stuff comes, I'm all for it!

I didn't say don't bring in any new stuff, I'm all for new attractions and even making a new Harry Potter section, JUST NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LOST CONTINENT! Don't tear down the best themed section of any theme park in the world to bring in something new. I'm not for tearing down or substantially altering any portion of IOA, but if anything Toon Lagoon should go before the LC. Not that I want to see TL go either, but the LC is THE best.